COUNCIL leaders in Herefordshire are to meet with schools minister Jim Knight next month to put the county's case for the protection of rural schools.

It comes after a huge rally in Hereford, when thousands of protesters marched against the closure of schools in the county.

Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of the council, and chief executive Chris Bull, said they wanted to promote the strength of public feeling to protect rural schools at the meeting on Wednesday, March 12. The council will also reaffirm to the minister its formal rejection of draft proposals for schools reviews and its firm undertaking that no secondary school closures or major reorganisations will be considered during the current administration.

Coun Phillips said they would also be seeking clarity of the Government's position. The Government has called for all local authorities to undertake a review and has set targets for controlling surplus places, but following public protests, has said that rural schools should be protected.

Coun Phillips said: "We want to promote our commitment that Herefordshire will do everything in its power to protect and develop Herefordshire schools and the communities that support and depend on those schools.

"I hope that parents feel that their rallying call of save our schools' has been well and truly heard by the council but it is vital that the Government understands this too."

The council will also use the opportunity to lobby further for fairer funding for the county's schools which are currently the third worst funded in the country.